Security cameras appear to be heading to Marshalltown High School this fall, though the exact location of where they will be placed is not being released.
The camera project for MHS was let out to bid Monday with hopes to receive bids July 6 and have them be approved by the Marshalltown School Board July 11. The project, which is designed to increase security at MHS, would start in July and be completed by Oct. 28.
Matt Tullis, director of equity with the district and leader of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant, said the exact locations of the digital cameras will not be made public.
"There are some things that we can't share in the interest of student safety," Tullis said.
He also declined to say how many cameras would be placed at MHS, saying there will be "enough."
Dave Schulze, district architect, said the cameras would be placed both externally and internally at MHS. He said a security audit was conducted and school administration let them know where the problem areas were at the school.
The estimated cost of the project is $186,300, paid in part by the $5.6 million Safe Schools/Healthy Students federal grant Marshalltown is receiving.
An alternate on the bids being let out will have a similar project at Miller Middle School, though it's unclear if the district will proceed with cameras in that school as well.
The MHS security cameras are one piece of an entire security update in the school district as other buildings were examined and may receive more secure entrances and other upgrades as part of future projects.
